Road network expansion receives top priority in Gandaki

GANDAKI, JULY 29: The Gandaki province government has constructed a total of 233 kilometres of cemented roads in the last fiscal year. According to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, these roads were blacktopped and paved through multi-year and annual projects completed in 2023/24.

Senior Divisional Engineer at the Ministry, Ram Kumar Shrestha, said that 233 kilometres of roads were blacktopped and 97 kilometres were gravelled through projects implemented in 11 districts of Gandaki province in the last fiscal year. According to him, 55 kilometres of raw roads were constructed and 146.63 kilometres were widened. Additionally, 227.13 kilometres of drains and 178 causeways and culverts were also constructed during this period.

A total of 219,149.54 cubic meters of retaining walls and 47 kilometres of roads were regularly repaired across the province for road safety. Shrestha further shared that the Gandaki province government constructed 21 motorable bridges, 19 suspension bridges, and 25 buildings in the last fiscal year. With a capital budget of over Rs 12.18 billion, the ministry has spent 71.74 percent, or around Rs 8.74 billion.

In the seven years since the establishment of the provincial government, 901 kilometres of blacktopping and 696 kilometres of gravelling have been completed, along with the construction of 106 motorable bridges and 84 suspension bridges, according to the Infrastructure Development Directorate under the Ministry.